2017 Standard Setting Study and Related Options

The State Bar of California seeks public comment regarding the 2017 Standard Setting Study Report and related options for the California Bar Exam cut score. Please answer the two questions presented in the online public comment form and provide any additional comments about the report and recommendations; all comments regarding study methodology and possible cut score options beyond those specifically identified below are welcome.

Deadline: Aug. 25, 2017 (including two public hearings -- see below for details)

Note: Publication for public comment is not, and shall not, be construed as a recommendation or approval by the Board of Trustees of the materials published.

Subject

Background

In response to a continuing trend of declining pass rates on the California Bar Examination (CBX or exam) in recent years, the Committee of Bar Examiners (Committee) and State Bar staff began developing a plan to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the exam in late 2016. That plan ultimately included completion of four studies. During the Committee’s joint meeting on July 31, 2017 with the Board of Trustees Committee on Admissions and Education (Board Committee), the results of one of those, the Standard Setting Study (Study), which focused on an analysis of the appropriate pass line, or cut score, for the CBX, was reviewed (Attachment A). The Committee and Board Committee also considered staff’s recommendation to circulate two options related to the cut score for public comment: 1) No change to the current CBX cut score; and 2) A reduced interim CBX cut score of 1414 to be used for the July 2017 CBX only.

Discussion/Proposal

For an in-depth discussion of the report and recommendations, please refer to the Committee’s July 31, 2017, meeting agenda item (Attachment B).

Following a discussion by the Committee and Board Committee of the report and staff’s recommendation, the report “Conducting a Standard Setting Study for the California Bar Exam” preparedby Chad Buckendahl, Ph.D. was authorized for publication. The Board Committee also approved the Committee’s recommendation to circulate two options for public comment: 1) No change to the current CBX cut score; 2) To propose an interim CBX cut score of 1414 to be used for the July 2017 CBX only. Following consideration of comments received and the two options, during its Aug. 31, 2017 meeting, the Committee will consider making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees (Board) for review during its Sept. 6-7, 2017 meeting. The recommendation from the Board would then be forwarded to the California Supreme Court.

Deadline for Comments

Public Hearings

San Francisco
10 a.m. Aug. 15, 2017
The State Bar of California
180 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA

Direct Comments To

The State Bar of California is seeking public comment regarding the 2017 Standard Setting Study Report and related options for the California Bar Exam pass line. To submit your comments, please use the online public comment form.